Foot-treadle for machines



May 26, 1964 E. H, COLE FOOT-TREADLE FOR MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 9, 1961 llvvs/vmk EDI/M RD H/IROLD 6045 M wQ' May 26, 1964 E. H- COLE 3,134,270

FOOT-TREADLE FOR MACHINES Filed March 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 19 ii -19 FL .4.

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INVENTOR EDWARD H R R0 LD COLE United States Patent f 3,134,270 FOOT-TREADLE FOR MACHINES Edward Harold Cole, Station Road, Edenbridge, Kent, England Filed Mar. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 94,568 Claims priority, application Great Britain Mar. 11, 1960 1 Claim. (til. 74560) This invention relates to foot-treadle-operated machines and is particularly applicable to heavy-duty stapling machines.

Heavy duty stapling machines are known which comprise a frame including an upright column mounted on the frame base, a foot-treadle pivotally mounted on the frame base on a horizontal axis, stapling mechanism pivotally mounted on the upper part of the column, and an upright strut connected to the mechanism and movable upwardly by the treadle against spring action to actuate the mechanism. A second column extends upwardly from a rigid horizontal arm, clamped to the lower end of the first-mentioned column, to present a staple clencher to the stapling mechanism.

In such a stapling machine, accuracy is required in the manufacture of the treadle parts and, frequently, further machining is required during assembly. Yet further machining may subsequently be required to compensate for wear after use of the machine or on replacement of the working parts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a foot-treadle mechanism in which assembly and adjustment is facilitated.

According to the present invention, a foot-treadle mechanism comprises a base, a foot-treadle a fulcrum pin secured to the base to provide a pivotal mounting for the foot-treadle, and a generally wedge-shaped member which, when the fulcrum pin is in position in a bearing opening in the base, is movable transversely of the pin within a socket which overlaps said bearing opening to wedge the pin in position. Suitably, the generally wedgeshaped member comprises a cylindrical base which reduces to a stem portion which is screw-threaded from its remote end.

In use of the heavy-duty stapling machines, inconvenience is encountered in that the machine, which has a fixed movement of the treadle and of the stapling head or heads of the stapling mechanism, is frequently required to operate on a range of articles, such as cardboard boxes, of varying sizes and thicknesses. As a result, with some articles excessive foot pressure is required while with other articles an unnecessary large foot movement is re quired, and this in either case increases fatigue on the part of the operator. Preferably, therefore, according to the present invention, the foot-treadle mechanism base is formed with a spaced first and second bearing openings, the foot-treadle is formed with similarly spaced bearing openings, and the fulcrum pin is insertable into the two first openings or into the two second openings, whereby alternative mechanical advantages are available for the mechanism. If it is so desired a number greater than two openings may be provided in the base and in the foottreadle whereby a corresponding number of mechanical advantages are available for the mechanism.

According to a further feature of the invention the foot-treadle is of symmetrical form above and below its horizontal axis so that it can be mounted at either side of the base of the mechanism, which is also of symmetrical form. Preferably, the base is formed with horizontal bores which extend therethrough, and the socket for the wedge member is arranged between the mid-points of the bores. Thus, the machine can be quickly and easily adapted for actuation by the right or the left foot as circumstances require.

3,134,270 Patented May 26., 1964 PIC6 The invention also includes a foot-treadle-operated machine provided with a mechanism as defined above. 7

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation showing a heavy-duty stapling machine;

FIGURE 2 is a section on the line IIII of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line III-III of FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 1VIV of FIG- URE 2.

Referring firstly to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the heavy-duty stapling machine comprises a frame including an upright column 10 mounted on a frame base 11 and a foot-treadle 12 is pivotally mounted on the frame base on a horizontal axis. Stapling mechanism 13 is pivotally mounted on the upper part of the column 10, and an upright strut 14 is connected to the mechanism 13 and is movable upwardly by the treadle 12 against the action of a spring 15 to actuate the stapling mechanism. A sec-' 0nd column 16 extends upwardly from a rigid horizontal arm 17, clamped to the column 10, to present a staple clencher 18 to the stapling mechanism. Two parallel horizontal bores 19 are arranged in the cast-iron base of the frame to provide alternative bearing openings for a fulcrum pin 20 of surface-hardened steel and a vertical bore 21 is arranged between and overlapping these horizontal bores to provide a socket for a wedge member 22.

The member 22 (FIGURE 4) comprises a cylindrical base 23 which reduces to a stem portion which is screwthreaded to receive nut 24. Thus, in mounting the castiron treadle, the wedge member 23 is inserted into its bore, and the fulcrum pin 24 is passed through the treadle, which is also formed with two corresponding bearing openings 25, and into the appropriate horizontal bore 19. After adjusting the axial position of the fulcrum pin, the wedge member is urged upwardly by means of nut 24 to engage the pin and lock the pin in position. Thus, the treadle 12 is sandwiched between the frame base 11 and a washer 26 which is retained at the grooved end of the pin by a circlip 2'7, and it will be evident that the axial position of the pin is easily and infinitely adjustable between limits. As a result, the tolerance limits in the manufacture of the various parts are wider than in known machines in which the axial position of the fulcrum pin or spindle is fixed; also assembly of the machine and replacement of parts is greatly facilitated. Furthermore, due to the possibility of altering the axial position of the fulcrum pin 20 with its attached washer and circlip, the mechanism may be adjusted to compensate for wear over a period of use; in known machines such wear may have necessitated renewal or renovation of the relatively moving parts.

As an alternative to having a washer and circlip, the fulcrum pin may be formed with an integral enlarged head, suitably of hexagonal shape.

In the case where more than two horizontal bores (19) are provided in the frame base, vertical bores (21) are formed to overlap each horizontal bore; thus, two vertical bores would sufiice for three or for four horizontal bores.

The foot-treadle 12 is of symmetrical form above and below its horizontal axis and can thus be mounted at. either side of the machine base which is also of symmetrical form. These alternative mountings are indicated in full and in broken lines in FIGURE 2. It will be noted that the horizontal bores 19 extend completely through the base and the vertical bore 21 is positioned between the mid-points of the bores 19. Thus the machine can be quickly and easily adapted for actuation by either the right or the left foot as circumstances require.

A pivotal connector 28 which may contain lubricating oil is arranged between the end of the treadle 12 and the lower end of the upright strut 114. This connector is provided at its bottom end with a rubber insert 29 which engages a stop provided on the base of the frame to limit downward travel of the strut 14. The stop is formed by the flat head of a bolt 39 the stem of which enters a vertical bore on the base of the frame. A nut 31 is provided on the bolt stem to control the vertical height of the flat head whereby the travel of the said strut and thus also the travel of the treadle and the stapling head are controlled. The distance of travel of the treadle is of great importance as regards fatigue of the machine operator; for example, Where only a short movement of the stapling head is necessary it may be possible to adjust the treadle movement so that the operator can actuate the treadle without lifting his heel from the floor.

Thus, the stapling machine has the advantages of treadle operation having an adjustable mechanical advantage by virtue of the movable fulcrum pin, and an adjustable arc of movement by virtue of the adjustable stop.

The invention is described above as embodied in a stapling machine, but it will be appreciated that the invention is also applicable to other types of foot-treadleoperated machines.

I claim:

A foot-treadle mechanism comprising a base having spaced first and second horizontal bores therethrough forming bearing openings therein, and said base having a socket therein between and overlapping said first and second bearing openings adjacent the midpoint of the bores, a foot treadle havingsimilarly spaced bearing open ings, a fulcrum pin which includes a length of uniform cross-section and is selectively insertable into the two first and the two second openings, whereby alternative mechanical advantages are available for the mechanism, and a generally wedge-shaped member movable within said socket transversely over said pin to wedge said pin in position.

References, Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 232,622 Zeigler Sept. 28, 1880 274,992 Thayer et a1. Apr. 3, 1883 562,956 Granswindt June 30, 1896 693,593 Ferguson Feb. 18, 1902 998,210 Slentz July 18, 1911 1,438,288 Barbaroh Dec. 12, 1922 1,716,586 Julian June 11, 1929 1,862,027 Lord June 7, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 451,753 Great Britain Aug. 11, 1936 

